The Santuario della Madonna di Polsi

If you’re in the region in late summer it’s worth timing your visit to attend the boisterous fair that takes place every year in Aspromonte on the first two days of September at the Santuario della Madonna di Polsi, a 10km hike from the park entrance. It’s an unashamedly pagan event that involves the sale and slaughter of large numbers of goats – the fair is also known to provide a convenient cover for the meeting of ’Ndrangheta cells from all over the world.